A plus-one playoff through the years: 2008-2011

Posted on: January 20, 2012 11:58 am

Edited on: January 20, 2012 1:46 pm

In the final installment plus-one lookback (2008-2011), the Big 12 and SEC rule. The assumption is that playing extra games would loosen the SEC’s grip on the sport. It just makes sense. In any playoff, dark horses and underdogs are going to emerge. Teams spend all season getting to the top, then in one game it can all go pfft against an inferior opponent.

In this plus-one there was a huge pfft in 2011.

(All plus-one games played on neutral fields. Here’s how things looked from 1998-2002 and 2003-2007.

2008

BCS champion: Florida 24, Oklahoma 14

The setup: Put this one on the Big 12 which never foresaw a three-way tie broken by the BCS standings. Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Texas all went 7-1 in the Big 12 South. Texas beat OU, Texas Tech beat Texas, OU beat Texas Tech. They were all 1-1 against other. Texas felt slighted because it won the Red River Shootout, but Oklahoma won the South by a mere .0128 of a point. That basically greased the path for OU to get to the national championship game.

Another Oklahoma powerhouse, another disappointment. For the third time in four tries during the BCS era, the Sooners were stopped in that championship game. This Oklahoma team was the highest scoring of all time averaging 51 points per game. In his last season, Sam Bradford threw 50 touchdown passes.

All that was no match for an SEC defense. A top 10 defense featured Brandon Spikes, Joe Haden and Jermaine Cunningham. Florida’s D held the Sooners to their lowest point total in more than two years.

How a four-team playoff would have changed things: No. 1 Oklahoma vs. No. 4 Alabama, No. 2 Florida vs. No. 3 Texas. A plus-one couldn’t come fast enough for the Horns whose only blemish was a loss to Texas Tech with a second to go. It’s easy to project that Gators D devouring the Horns too. Florida 33, Texas 21.

Alabama stayed in the top two of the BCS until losing an SEC championship game showdown to Florida. In year before Bama won two out of the next three titles, the defense tied for third overall. It would have been the difference against OU. Alabama 26, Oklahoma 24.

Championship game: Same script as Atlanta. A close game is blown open in the fourth quarter by that guy named Tebow. Before anyone cared about his throwing motion, completion percentage or virginity, Florida’s quarterback proved himself one of the best of all time. Florida 20, Alabama 17.

Fantasy quote: “They got lucky. The state of Alabama is going to rule college football the next three years.” – Nick Saban.

Who got screwed: Utah. It beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. It beat Alabama bad. It deserved something after finishing as the only undefeated team in the country.

2009

BCS champion: Alabama 38, Texas 21

The setup: The game was decided when Alabama’s Marcel Dareus took out Colt McCoy on the contest’s fifth play. The question to this day, remains: Would a healthy McCoy have made any difference? Mack Brown answered that night, “It wouldn’t even have been close.”

Texas was forced to play an untested quarterback, Garrett Gilbert, against a carnivorous defense. All that was left was for stadium personnel to clean up the remains. It was perhaps the most disappointing BCS title game. Ninety-five thousand fans in the Rose Bowl and millions across the country expected to see a symphony. They ended up watching the Wiggles.

Yes, yes, Mark Ingram won the Heisman and that Alabama D could have played in the NFL, but it still feels like there is something missing from that night – a frisky Colt.

How a four-team playoff would have changed things: No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 TCU, No. 2 Texas vs. No. 3 Cincinnati. All four were undefeated. All four would have had a fair chance to state their cases in a playoff. TCU would have scared the spit out of Bama. I know because I saw it a year later against Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl. I know because TCU was playing an NFL quarterback (Andy Dalton). I know because Gary Patterson is Nick Jr. as a defensive mastermind. Alabama 23, TCU 20 OT.

The toughest decision in the other semifinal was Brian Kelly’s. Does he stay at Cincinnati for a national title run or go to Notre Dame? Would it have made a difference? Texas 47, Cincinnati 27.

Championship: At the risk of being frisked for hallucinogens next time I go to T-town, McCoy would have made a huge difference. In a classic Big 12 offense vs. SEC defense, the Large Dozen was due to take one sooner or later. Texas 29, Alabama 27.

Fantasy quote: “We regret Coach Kelly’s decision to stay at Cincinnati to coach in the playoff. That said, Notre Dame has had to move on and act swiftly. Please welcome to the Irish family as Notre Dame’s next coach, Urban Meyer.” – ND AD Jack Swarbrick.

Who got screwed: Boise State, which went 14-0 while beating the Pac-10 (Oregon) and Mountain West (TCU) champions. Only one team in the regular season came within 11 points of the Broncos.

2010

BCS champion: Auburn 22, Oregon 19

The setup: Cam Newton’s daddy went trolling for the six-figure handshake. Then he and his son were bailed out by a loophole the size of the Lincoln Tunnel. That, basically, is a summary of the 2010 season. Newton was so good, that no team could stop Auburn. Cecil Newton was that sleazy that sometimes it was hard to sift through the wrongdoing to see a talented, personable kid who established himself as one of the best ever.

How a four-team playoff would have changed things: No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 4 Stanford. No. 2 Oregon vs. No. 3 TCU. TCU would have gotten the chance it deserved. The nation’s No. 1 defense could have matched up with anyone. The hunch here is that Patterson would have bottled up Oregon at least as much as Auburn did. TCU 24, Oregon 21.

How about a matchup of the top two Heisman vote getters? Stanford’s Andrew Luck would have done what Oregon’s Darron Thomas couldn’t – make a vulnerable Auburn secondary pay. Cammy Cam Cam, though, would have been the difference against the tough Cardinal. Auburn 28, Stanford 21.

Championship game: Andy Dalton meet Nick Fairley. Tank Carder meet Cam Newton. Auburn-TCU would have gone a lot like Auburn-Oregon. Down to the wire with the underdog hanging surprisingly tough. In the end, the Tigers had too many playmakers. Auburn 22, TCU 19.

Fantasy quote: “Define ‘solicit.’ “ – Cecil Newton

Who got screwed: The Heisman Trust. What was supposed to be a celebration turned into a solemn event. The takeaway from his press conference is Newton's answer to the question: In a year when Reggie Bush had to give back is trophy, do you have any concerns you'll have to give yours back as well?

“Two letters for you, my friend,” Newton said. “No.”

All righty, then.

2011

BCS champion: Alabama 21, LSU 0

The setup: Funny how penthouses and outhouses occupy the same block in the SEC. One moment, they’re calling Les Miles’ team one of the best ever. The next he’s been outcoached so badly by Nick Saban that he has to turn in his trucker’s hat.

Such was the fallout from a season that kept the national championship down in the Sweet Home for the third consecutive season. The Rematch of the Century was almost as big a disappointment as the Game of the Century. Except this time, there was some finality to it. Saban DID outcoach Miles. AJ McCarron DID play like Tom Brady. The rest of the country IS still drafting in the SEC’s excellence.

While the rest of the nation continued to set offensive records, LSU and Bama combined for 36 points, 10 field goals and one touchdown in two games. Is this what you want out of a national champion? Read on.

Step back, Slive. Back off, Saban. Move away, Miles. College football would have gotten even, broken the SEC death grip.

"We'd have thrown it 50 times," Mike Gundy told USA Today. "You like to think Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon could have put together some touchdowns. Get the ball thrown down the field and open some things up. Try to make it exciting, and see what happens."

The key word being “exciting”. Who wouldn’t have loved to see Andrew Luck and Weeden go against those defenses? LSU played with a quarterback who would have had a hard time starting in the Big 12. Alabama played one offense all season ranked in the top 30 (Arkansas, 29th) and 10 ranked 84th or lower.

Defense wins championships? Not necessarily in this case if it plays a championship offense.

Let’s assume that Oklahoma State gave up its average of 27 points. Let’s assume Alabama gave up more than its average of eight points against the nation’s No. 2 offense. Let’s assume that it matters that the Cowboys were fifth in field-goal accuracy and Alabama was 85th.

Let’s also assume that Oklahoma State’s 44 turnovers gained – the most in the sport in eight years – matter. The Cowboys had an average defense, not a bad one. LSU 22, Stanford 17; Oklahoma State 36, Alabama 34.

Championship game: It suddenly gets a lot easier for the Cowboys. With Miles keeping an actual passing quarterback (Jarrett Lee) on the bench, that makes things less difficult for Oklahoma State. Yes, LSU’s running depth would have pounded the Pokes. But an underrated offensive line would have worn down the Tigers. Oklahoma State 27, LSU 21.

Fantasy quote: “How do you like us now, OU?” – Boone Pickens

Who got screwed: In the real world, it was Oklahoma State. The Cowboys finished third in the BCS by closest margin since the formula was refigured in 2004. They played a stronger schedule than Alabama and won what some thought was the strongest conference in the country in ’11. Bammers were successful, though, in reducing the national conversation about two one-loss teams to one game. It was determined Alabama’s one loss (to LSU) was less bad than Oklahoma State’s (Iowa State). It’s a full season, folks. The Fightin’ Gundys had a fine one.

As far as props, there was a time when the idea of Mike Gundy as the national coach of the year would have been a Saturday Night Live skit. Now it’s reality.

A plus-one playoff through the years: 2008-2011

Oklahoma screwed themselves by losing to an unranked team...live with it.

Since: Nov 15, 2008

Posted on: January 21, 2012 11:48 pm

A plus-one playoff through the years: 2008-2011

Dennis, you did this on purpose. Take away both titles from Alabama and you knew that the BAMA nation would erupt. Hilarious!!!!! Come on people. You shouldn't be so easy to get sucked in.

Since: Mar 6, 2008

Posted on: January 21, 2012 11:09 pm

A plus-one playoff through the years: 2008-2011

Oklahoma State did not "get screwed". They lost to a crappy Iowa State team. The OSU defense was atrocious. Trent Richardson would have run wild in an OSU v Bama matchup. OSU didn't have the defense to beat either Alabama or LSU. And the OSU offense would have been far less prolific against either of those defenses, especially Alabama's. I can only assume that DDodd is on strong psychotropic drugs, given the fantasy that he constructed for the 2011 Plus-One scenario. Hey Dennis, Lewis Carroll on line one, he says you should climb back out of the rabbit-hole.

Since: Jan 21, 2012

Posted on: January 21, 2012 10:33 pm

A plus-one playoff through the years: 2008-2011

I love the way all you people who don't know crap about football try to put your two cents in. Bottom line is Oklahoma State didn't play in the Championship game because they lost to a nobody team! Iowa State was so far down, it was easier to find them if you started at the bottom and worked your way up. And saying that they were all emotionally troubled because of the death of the Women's Basketball coaches, is so lame. I would bet money that only about 1/5 of the team even knew the coaches' names. I don't mean that in disrespect...I am just being realistic. It isn't in a football players interest to know who the women's basketball coach is. They will never follow the sport (unless you are Tennessee or another dominant school) unless they had a girlfriend on the team. The fact of the matter is this...they lost to Iowa State. Alabama's only loss was to LSU in overtime by a field goal. And I think we pretty much left no doubt who the better team was on Jan. 9th!

I am all for a plus game....because it would finally put an end to all the crap talk after the SEC wins a championship!

I think you all need to learn to deal with a certainty that you may not want to...The SEC is going to dominate for years to come! And we are only getting better as the years go by.

Roll Tide Roll!

Since: Sep 8, 2011

Posted on: January 21, 2012 10:29 pm

A plus-one playoff through the years: 2008-2011

Bama beat Texas straight up in 09 - and injuries are what happens when grown men like Darious hit quarterbacks. Dennis Dodd's dumbest post ever.

Since: Dec 5, 2006

Posted on: January 21, 2012 10:29 pm

A plus-one playoff through the years: 2008-2011

You take both of Alabama's titles away ? I guess we see what your agenda is here and one more thing that you may not know... Ok St would not score 36 on Bama then only 20 something on LSU because Bama's defense was better than LSU's...so their is no validity to this crap your spewing. If we ever go to a plus one its not going to loosen the SEC's grip on the title its going to strenghen it because you will have more All-SEC mathups just like this year. You just dont get it just like the Pokes from Stillwater. Would Ok St have scored more than 9 or 0 against Alabama as LSU did ? Yes . Would Alabama have scored more than 6 and 21 on Ok State's defense like it did against LSU . Oh Hell Yes ! Alabama 45 vs Ok State 17.... And dont use the Oklahoma beatdown argument that their defense could hold Bama down because the Sooners were banged up and hobbled not to mention Okie St had the week off and home field on top of all of that.Ther SEC will eventually lose to a a non-sec team one day in the title game but domination will continue forever.... with a plus one or a playoff you just increase our chances of getting more teams in and with that being said the SEC will start winning 8 out of 10 titles for the rest of eternity !!! RTR

Since: Sep 26, 2008

Posted on: January 21, 2012 10:27 pm

A plus-one playoff through the years: 2008-2011

I believe in the fantasy outlook in this picture, during the first round all of the Alabama defense would have been taken out and this would be the way OKST would be able to put up these points. It would have to be the only way! Even loosing two defensive players would have still caused havic in the final game for OKST. BUT....I do believe OKST would have crossed the 50 twice...they do have Blackmon.

Since: Sep 8, 2011

Posted on: January 21, 2012 10:25 pm

A plus-one playoff through the years: 2008-2011

Great - a stupid column of "what-ifs." Oklahoma State is the Big 12 version of Arkansas who Bama beat by three touchdowns. No one scored more than 14 points on Bama's defense all year and suddenly Okie State is the best team ever. Give me a break. Bama was the best team in the Country and proved it by putting a beat down on LSU. (Keep in mind that both Bama and LSU scored forty points per game on average except when playing each other).

Since: Nov 24, 2007

Posted on: January 21, 2012 10:16 pm

A plus-one playoff through the years: 2008-2011

The only WR comparible to Blackmon is Alshon Jeffries and Alabama didn't face South Carolina this year so we don't know what they would do against a good QB/WR tandem.

Alabama played Arkansas. The difference between OK State and Arkansas is that Arkansas has legitimate receivers all over the field. Three will be drafted this year and one is rated by some scouting agencies as the #1 wide receiver prospect next year. Throw in Gragg, a tight end, and the receivers at Arkansas are way ahead of Ok State. It is easy to cover one receiver. You double him and jam him on the line, you can't do that to four legitimate threats.

Arkansas faced South Carolina, and shutting them down with a middle of the pack defense wasn't that hard. Alabama wouldnot have struggled either.

Since: Sep 26, 2008

Posted on: January 21, 2012 10:09 pm

A plus-one playoff through the years: 2008-2011

I think you are correct, would have been a good game. I do believe Blackmon would have gotten one maybe two TD's he's good, that would have been 14 points. Bama would have gotten 2 from Trent and 5 field goals just to prove a point (like they did). Bama 29 OKST 14. But a good game.